"NJ Enacts Toughest US Rules on Fertilizer"

"WARETOWN — New Jersey adopted the nation's toughest restrictions on fertilizer Wednesday as part of a package of bills signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie to protect the fragile Barnegat Bay from further pollution.
 
Runoff from fertilizer applied to lawns and farms eventually makes its way into waterways and contributes to water pollution and fish-killing algae blooms.

The bills require upgrades to malfunctioning storm drains, force contractors to loosen soil that becomes hard-packed.

A key provision requires that at least 20 percent of nitrogen in fertilizer sold in New Jersey be the slow-release type to prevent it from easily washing into waterways.

Christie signed the bills in Waretown, a Barnegat Bay boating and crabbing community."

Wayne Parry reports for the Associated Press January 5, 2011.